Instagram/@kristenanniebell
Kristen Bell has loudly voiced her opinion about the use of social media and its impact on the personality of the user, especially the addiction to the internet could even unknowingly change the character of the person. The actress shared a video from Olivia Unplugged about the psychological effects of constant online communication and offered some tips on how to get one’s personality back. Kristen’s backing has kicked off a major debate on the topic of digital wellness and the conscious lifestyle.
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Kristen Bell is not just putting up another pretty video. She is rather transmitting, what she calls, ‘important’ message that is quite similar to the experiences of those who sometimes do not recognize themselves after having scrolled through social media for a lengthy period. The video from Olivia Unplugged digs down to the nitty-gritty of the issue and quotes neuroscience. It argues that comparison via technology and the internet in general are so devastating that one could even say these people are losing their personality.
Bell, loved for her frankness and realness, did not shy away from showing the irony of doing a post about social media limits on social media. On the contrary, she supported it by saying the message was one that ‘needed to be said.’ Besides she not only told her followers to watch the full video but also to decide their values and priorities consciously even if that means having strict personal limits regarding their gadget usage.
The creator’s advice is not complicated but is still hard to put into practice. She suggests using app limiting such as Opal, conscious scrolling by maintaining a ‘scroll journal’ where one can visualize what he is actually learning, and most importantly, nurturing one’s identity off the phone. ‘Get involved in more activities that declare who you are without your phone,’ she orders. The video ends with a striking remark: ‘Scrolling not only consumes your time any more, it also reshapes your entire character.’
Kristen’s fans were quick to react and their reaction was pretty personal. Many of them were grateful for the good reminder which came just in time. ‘Very much needed reminder — it powerfully shows once again how the way we use social media is about the intention. The combination of openness and self-awareness here is great,’ a user wrote. Another said it in simpler words, ‘This is an awakening for our generation.’
The topic soon shifted to parents’ concerns and the use of technology by kids. A lot of users shared their difficulties in parenting and their worries about their kids and teenagers. One mother was very distressed and said, ‘There is absolutely no way my son will ever be allowed to sit around all day watching TikTok or YouTube or Instagram or Twitch live streams. No! We are going out.’ Another parent commented, ‘I can relate to this through my kids. Their online time causes so much comparison and influence that I really wish such time was back when there was no social media at all.’
Furthermore, many people were asking for more supporting information like links to the studies mentioned or the specific apps. The discussion even had a humorous moment when one user shared how they found the creator’s ‘sorryyyy’ at the end of her serious speech somewhat amusing. Laughter also marked the self-examination as one person joked, ‘Back?? That would mean I ever had one,’ referring to the fact that with the majority the feeling of either losing or mixing one’s personality with others is so common nowadays.
The original creator, Olivia Unplugged, also reacted to the comments by expressing gratitude to Bell for once again sharing her work and adding that ‘we all have a fantastic personality that is just asleep under all that doomscrolling.’ This interaction showed how the message of the campaign became stronger than ever before because it was not about shaming but rather being aware and supported together.
The act by Kristen Bell to back the content is not the classic kind of celebrity endorsements. It is the opposite to that because it plays into the large-scale concern that technology has been the culprit behind and there are no easy solutions. By portraying the act of ‘taking back’ one’s personality, the message connects at a very close level. It is a call for action that is not asking to give up technology completely which is the opposite of the proposed ‘mindful, intentional engagement’ approach. In a world that is primarily characterized by one’s curated perfection and unending consumption, Bell’s post takes a different route: it champions the preservation of the unique, unpolished self. Her husband, Dax Shepard, is known for his own humorous takes.
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In other fun news, Kristen Bell and friends are known for their creative costumes. Additionally, her co-star Justine Lupe once played a memorable prank on her.
